Telegram-herald., 1887-08-14
Tw B PECULIAR COMMUNITIES.
Brief History Of Some sOciaIIstic yx.
periments in Iowa

Brief History Of Some sociaIIstlc IN.
periments in Iowa.
The 1carian community near Corning, Ia. ,
has practically diss,3sed The trouble was
hat I'd . younger members would not brook
tie restraints imposed by the laws aud rules
OF the society The old men were stickers.
and TOO rigid in thei- Interpretation Of the
constitution, and the young men rebelled
The society had its origin in France and set
tied in body at Nauvoo, Ills, but moved to
the present location in 1854, before the orsan-
ization OF this section inte counties. The
founder was Etienne Cabet. The society. un-
Ike most other cornnuEisfic bodies. has no
religious forms, believing that the essence Of
religion exists rather in practice than in
creed, the members regarding Sunday as a
day OF amusement. Although atheists. the
principal feature Of tie Icarian scheme is tho
one text Of the New Testament. which under
lies all communistic experiences. 70 bo found
in Acts ii, "A, IS: "And ali that believed
were together and had all things in cornnoft
and sold their possessions and goods and
parted them TO all men, as every man had
need"
For nearly ageneration as time Is measured
in the life of man the Icarians dwelt happily
and contented. Thor property, farm Of
5000 acres, was owned in common. A coun-
ell OF the oldest men controlled affairs and
designated the verk each person was TO per
form. There was little association for many
years with the outside world The language
spoken was French and the old men were
slow in getting a knowledge Of English. IS
already intimated, the young people who
have grown up since coming here were
anxious for more progressive methods and
ideas. OF course the elders opposed any in
novation OF changes in plans OF policy, and
the differences Of opinion eliminated several
years ago in division OF property, the old
members leaving the homestead to the chill
dren, while the elders betook themselves to a
new location a half mile distant from the
original nest. The young people in tho old
home kept the old name, "rhe IcaTian Com
munity," and the old people called their split
of THE New Icarians." The latter in their
new location built after tie old plan Of group
ing their cottages around square, in the
center of which was large build
ing used for lecture, amusement. din
ing and cooking purposes they be-
leve in ths sacredness of the mar
risge relation, and each family has its own
home, but all eat together in the central
dining room. The elders took with them 20
their new home large library and fine col
lection of instruments for scientific expert
ments. Among the older members were men
of profound learning, and in the earlier DAYS
of their life here the lecture ball was the
scene of many fine exposition of scientific
subjects. Many Of them, too. possessed his
trionic talent, and Sunday evening was usu-
ally given up 10 the performance Of some
theatrical play.
When the split took place the older heads
took away forty or fifty persons, most Of them
white haired, venerable old people, whose
very appearance seems TO prove that the
claim they make Of living a better and more
advanced life than those Of the world around
them is not altogether groundless. They are
proverbial for their politeness and demeanor
10 each other and 70 those with whom they
come in contact. The young colony rs anxious
70 sell its land and 20 to California, where a
good many Of its members are already living
Within a few years at the most tnis remark
able experiment. in conlmunistic he viii live
only la history.
Iowa has one other communal society. tho
lnspirationists, at Amana, in Iowa county.
This society, however, ia rich, It's possessions
covering some q. 900 acres Of land. with a
population exceeding l, 500, divided into seven
villages. Tho people engage yasiously in
manufacturing and farming. They have
several woolen, saw aHa grist mills and tan
neries, aud their goods are staple articles ia
the market Each family has its bouse. Ike
me lcarians, and all COOK and cat together
ia centrals At the table. however, tss men
and women are separated TO psevs1t silly
conversation ana tri1ing conduct" At the
head Of The organization Is n woman who is
supposed by the members TO fsak hv tha
direct inspiration Of God" Hence their
name. They cana from Germany TO New
York state in 1912, And to Iowa in 1896
The society owes its foundation r. al IL
Dorsnt servant maid. who for many years was
the inspired oracle" OF ADans- The name
ATnana Is taken from the Song of Solo
mon iv, 5. Thosgh woman founded the
society and is considered NE scracle- through
whom come the commands ~ God. yet tle
he women Of the community are reQairsd -
work hard, dress plainly ard svoid associs
ton vita Elankiad. notwithstanding vhicb
there srs marriages and much donestie con7-
f5rt and happ'ness Ons q their leadinr
writers adTises men % afy from iatsroourrs
WITH vsuoen a. . vsry dangerous. n1agnstlc
snd magical Ere Asaser1snts zsnaraIlv
are forbidden. even ph7toEraFAs sns piotareS
srs not allowed Iaeir rnles ~ dsay lifs ere
very str1t eni severe. 81 jo3niag sh-siaeo~s.
pealtenoa cad deer devotisn THIS ao~frfv h
s1ceess 81. fasn-fallv. 20 ss7 the Iess.- shs
ne ben, ars good ctizsrs pay tbeir tsxes.
aveid gst.oa sns f tasy fad baFrinsss ia
conr.y LHg with their ririd rules - eovern-
l.ests who can say them nsyt-Siosx CITY